He added that the healthy towns "must promote healthy living. Each town has come up with innovative ways - such as a loyalty schemes or cycling projects - to help their residents to be more active."

"Healthy towns is just the start. Our aim is to create a healthy England."

One of the projects is Points4Life in Manchester, where people can take part in a reward scheme if they exercise. Halifax are trying out a grow-you-own fruit and vegetable scheme, while Portsmouth will put up signs to aid people taking exercise to "time their progress".

London's Tower Hamlets will start an award scheme to promote the health ratings of food outlets and eating places.

Stastics have shown increasing levels of obesity in the UK. Almost a quarter of the adult population and a fifth of children are obese.